Filner also spoke of developing an infrastructure financing plan over the next few months and Adams said builders will be offering suggestions.

"Only time will tell if the deeds match the dialog," he said. "We'll all see."

LaClava said predictable fees and processing time would benefit everyone.

"Excessive fees and delays can make developers cranky and unwilling to work with community groups in pursuit of better projects," he said. "Predictability for developers, merchants, and residents should create a more cooperative dialog as we work together to make our neighborhoods better."

LaClava was less willing to accommodate growth in existing neighborhoods.

"We cannot ask them to do that unless we first fix the infrastructure they have and also provide the infrastructure that was promised and never delivered," he said.